Chinese scientists have named a newly discovered species of bumblebee goby after Jennie, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink. The fish, scientifically named Brachygobius jennie, is the first bumblebee goby found in China, according to a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution.
The species was discovered in a freshwater stream on Hainan Island, China. Researchers chose the name to honor Jennie's influence and to highlight the fish's distinctive black-and-yellow banding, which resembles the stage outfits often worn by the singer.
According to the study, Brachygobius jennie is a miniature fish, reaching only about 1.5 centimeters in length. Its small size could provide a model for studying the biological limits of vertebrate miniaturization, the authors noted.
The discovery adds to the biodiversity of China's freshwater fish and underscores the role of Hainan Island as a hotspot for endemic species. The paper was published in June 2026.
